What do you think of this car? 1997 E300 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Holson Adi · #1 12-12-2002, 10:41 PM

Hi everybody,

I found this on E-bay today.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1874766302

I know that I should probably go for a southern car but this car shouldn't have rust problems yet. Besides at most I'll only be keeping this car for five years.

What do you think of the mileage? It's a high miler I guess but mileage does not concern me when it comes to MB's.

It looks like a nice 97. I like it because it has the 5-speed auto instead of the more reliable 4-speed, which probably means that I'd get some sort of extended warranty for this car.

Anyway,
I read through the posts regarding the E300 and don't seem to find anything too bad about them.

What do people mean by 'surging' on these N/A E300's anyway?

How does the rest of the car hold up? I really don't read people complaining about the W210 seems like a well built car.

I also read about glow plug issues and how the car seems to go through them.

Other than that any other things I should take note of?

Is the Turbo really worth looking for? On paper this car has only a bit more power than my 20yr old 300D. I don't drive awfully fast.
However, how many revs/min. does the engine make at say... 90-100mph on the interstate?

Thanks,

if you have anything to say just shout

Gilly · #2 12-12-2002, 11:03 PM

Holson:
I have referred a few times to the Diesel that one of the service advisors at work owns. It is a 97, so is mechanically the same as the one you are looking at.
It has around 280,000 miles on it and runs very good.
The transmission fluid has never been changed (this is why i am usually talking about this particular car).
I like the looks of the car. I tend to believe that the wheels on this EBay car are not the original style, look like later style rims to me.
The surging problem is caused by one of a pair of flaps built into the induction system, caused by coking or "crud" in the induction system. Some cars will do it, others won't. Unsure why it happens to some and not others, possibly driving style. Not hard to fix.
If you don't "drive fast", you should be happy with the car. The performance isn't stellar, but you won't hold up traffic either.
We don't see alot of problems with the glowplugs, but the D model isn't exactly over-represented in the 210 population, either.
We've had a couple D's chew up front wheel bearings for some odd reason, so be sensitive to bearings that may need adjusting. Needed to replace the whole front knuckle and hub, just welded itself together. Big bucks repair. Also check the rear differential for leaking, either out the side seals or drive pinion.
No idea on the revs. Will the car even make 90 mph?:p

Gilly

Holson Adi · #3 12-12-2002, 11:25 PM

I think I'm gonna make an appointment to test drive the car and take it to the dealer for an inspection, pull a VMI - if I decide that I want the N/A E300. The 1999 E300TD is the most ideal car I think.

Honestly I'm not a big fan of the W210 body style, and wouldn't consider the gas model. The diesel engine makes up for it. I also understand that no matter what the W210 is definitely more refined than the W124 (my father had both). I must admit that the 210 looks really elegant in black especially. Oh and I am sure I'd love the A/C..

Thanks for the pointers, gillybenztech. I wish one of you techs that frequent mercedesshop was closer. I hope the dealer will do a thorough inspection.... (for the price)

well I hope it could go to 90mph

I'd hate to buy a 97 that is slower than my 83 hehehe...

The reason why I ask bout the revs is that I hate my 300CD on the interstate (it's nice and stable but it is so loud!!)

Thanks Gilly,

#4 12-13-2002, 01:51 AM

The non-turbo E300's aren't fast, but they aren't slow. About as fast as your 300CD. I like the cars, I am thinking about buying a high mileage '96 soon. That 97 looks like a decent price, and I'm sure you can get him down a little bit too.

Gilly · #5 12-13-2002, 10:37 AM

I asked the service advisor at work about the speed question, he says his will top out at about 123mph, and at that speed the engine is at redline, right around 6000 rpm (couldn't remember the exact rpm, he says look at the tach, it was at the redline). This is also a 97 non-turbo.

Gilly

#6 12-13-2002, 03:36 PM

I bought a '96 new in April '96. I loved the car. It did develop the surging problem and was a real pain because it was very early and the service department had no experience with that yet. It was indeed the flaps.

I believe what was said about the 123 mph top speed. I drove mine mostly on the highway and it did real well. It went 0-60 in something like 13 seconds, but I expect the '97 with the driver adaptive transmission probably does a little better.

As far as handling goes, I personally like the handling of the 210 MUCH better than the 124 car.

Good luck,

Holson Adi · #7 12-13-2002, 09:21 PM

hhmm so it really accelerates about the same as my 300CD....

That's not too big a deal. is it quiet though on the interstate.. say at 85mph?
My 300CD's OM617A revs 4500 /min.... and it's rather annoying especially when you try to carry out a conversation with people. I mean 60mph is fine but still quite loud. But the traffic nowadays does not move at 60!

Anyway, I guess I will find out when I take it out for a test drive.

********NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! It's sold!!!!!!!!!!!!*************

sucks.. I had to worry bout my finals... oh well.. not for me I guess...

oh well.. search continues...
The local dealer has a 1999 E300TD too bad the asking price is $40k!!!! (with 35000 mi.)